‘Govt Hired Apco For Protection?’

In a shocking revelation, Barisan Nasional’s Kota Belud MP Rahman Dahlan told Parliament today that BN “was forced to appoint” international consultancy firm Apco Worldwide to bridle and contain opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat.

Rahman said the BN government had to appoint Apco to protect itself from Pakatan.

“I want to say that RM77 million is the risk, the amount needed to rectify the damage triggered by Pakatan,” he said.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is at this moment facing a probable suspension for his allegations linking Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia campaign to the One Israel concept.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Aziz had tabled a motion to refer Anwar to the Rights and Privileges Committee for saying that there is similarity in the concept of 1Malaysia and One Israel and for suggesting that PR firm Apco Worldwide may be responsible for these ideas.

Nazri’s motion, under Standing Order 36 (12), was supported by Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

The motion was passed by the House after hearing debates from eight MPs – four from BN and four from Pakatan.

Change in foreign policy?

PAS’ Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad earlier told the Dewan that Khairy, who is also Umno Youth chief, and BN MPs had today failed to explain why Umno had inked an agreement with Apco Worldwide knowing its link to the Jewish community.

The ruling party also avoided disclosing details of the cooperation between Umno-Apco and instead diverted the issue to accuse Anwar of corroborating with the Jews.

Khairy had earlier waved, in Parliament, a document alleging proof of Anwar’s relations with former World Bank president and US deputy secretary of defence Paul Wolfowitz.

Anwar meanwhile slammed the government for defending its liaison with Apco.

“You can punish me but you can’t run away from the facts. The Public Accounts Committee has also once before expressed its reservations about Apco,” he said.

He also drew attention to the government’s foreign policy which he said had suddenly changed in direction.

“If it is true that Apco had no influence, then how is it that our foreign policy has suddenly changed?

“I have never denied my relationship with America but I am firm on the issue of Afghanistan.

“Our policy on Iran shows how weak we are. This has never happened in our history, even Dr Mahathir Mohamad (former prime minister) has never bent on the Afghanistan and Palestinian issues,” said Anwar.

Malaysia Today
23/04/10

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